Galápagos Islands: From Stalemate to Success - For People and Tortoises

Conflict:
On Floreana Island in the Galapagos, conservationists spent 16 years trying to build receptivity among island residents to eradicate invasive species to protect endemic wildlife including the reintroduction of Florena Giant Tortoise. However, the eradication effort would have placed a significant burden on residents, resulting in nearly unanimous opposition.

Our Role:
CPeace assessed the conflict around the eradication of the invasive species, as well as broader social, economic, political, and environmental concerns, and designed and led a process that didn’t pit one side’s priorities as higher than the other’s.

Result:
Centered on a shared vision of what a good life looks like on Floreana, the process brought all sides together. This resulted in a conservation and development plan supported by every household on the island, five government ministries, and all conservation partners. The plan addressed the needs of all sides. The community gave - and continues to give - unanimous support not just for invasive species removal, but also for the long-term biosecurity measures needed to ensure ongoing success. While the science and technology of invasive species eradication have faced challenges, the multi-party commitment has remained steadfast - and continues strong even many years later.